The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
The waterlily garden; as well as one of the main conservatories; in Longwood Gardens, PA has been closed for the last few years while under an extensive renovation. You are no longer allowed to have a tripod in the buildings; which really sucks as the orchids are indoors. Fortunately you can still have a tripod outdoors which means we can still use them at the lily garden. The day that stops is the day the membership gets cancelled. This particular image was captured a week or so ago while visiting on a rainy day; perfect for catching some water drops on the pads as well as the petals. I forgot to take a picture of the signage; duh; denoting what kind of waterlily this was so if any of you flora buffs have any thoughts please let me know.
Feedback Requested
How does the crop work for you? Sometimes when I view the image it seems as though I cropped a little to much from the right side. Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Camera: NIKON Z 7
Lens: NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Focal length: 280mm
Shutter speed: 1/200s
Aperture: f/14
ISO: 400
Ed: What a pristine beauty! This is a classic crop for a reason and it works really well for me. I also like the subtle reflections in the water and that the BG is not pure black.
I was shooting water lilies myself today but didn’t see this variety. I hear you regarding the tripod. A number of years ago the Cockrell butterfly center in the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences banned tripods and I haven’t been back in a long time. Of course now with image stabilization and the ability to use high ISO hand holding isn’t such a hindrance as before so perhaps I’ll consider a foray there just for fun. As for this image, >=))>
Hi Ed. The crop is perfect for this view. I like the dark BG which allows the flower to be shown off nicely. Colors, sharpness, and comp are excellent. A well earned Awesome!..Jim
ps.: tripod bans are becoming more common especially at crowded venues. I do like facilities that open early for photographers with tripods allowed which eliminates the conflict between photographers and exhibit patrons.
Oh I hate it too when I forget to take a picture of signage and then don’t know what I have. This is stunning though in its freshness and the way you’ve kept the shadows tamped down. That structure and color really comes through. Crop works for me since we don’t need to see anything else. This would make a great centerpiece to a triptych showing the plant in other aspects.
Beautiful, Ed. This was obviously a stand out lily since we both were attracted to it. We even shot from the same angle. The only thing I would do to make this pop a little more is to boost the whites a little. Top notch.
Ed, this is a beauty. The subtle colors in the petals and water drops show very well plus I really like how you’ve handled the reflection. It’s clearly there, but you do need to look carefully. There are a huge number of hybrid hardy lilies (this does look like a hardy lily, not a tropical lily), so identifying them is very challenging.
Absolutely excellent!! The crop is perfect, the mauve in the outside petals is gorgeous, the reflection is a wonderful surprise as are the water droplets. I just ran out of adjectives so I’ll just say this is clearly an 11/10! I didn’t think it could be improved but do like the boost in the whites suggested by that attentive brother of yours!
Bill : I will probably have to try image stabilization at some point although I am not sure how well it will work with the tremor in my left hand. I have always used a tripod so it is second nature to me.
Jim : Longwood used to allow tripods in the buildings until 12 and then you had to put them away. The change is probably due to one of two things; either a photographer abused the rule or the more likely; some Karen or Ken created a scene because a 10’ wide sidewalk was not wide enough and they had to walk around.
Kris and Mark : Hopefully I am going back tomorrow so I can get it then.
Diane : I am going to give him a gold star the next time I see him.
Don : Thanks, I will have to make up my mind before making a print.
